Page 274 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

272  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health

Venice is one of the safest cities in Europe, and visitors are drivers, who may not be
unlikely to encounter any unpleasant situations. Violent crime insured and almost invariably
is very rare, and petty crime is minimal in comparison with overcharge. Airports are their
favourite haunts.
other main urban centres. Never theless, it is wise to take a
few simple precautions, particularly against pickpockets, both
in Venice and throughout the Veneto. Always leave valuables In an Emergency
and important documents in the hotel safe, and carry only In the event of an emergency,
the minimum amount of money necessary for the day. call 112 or 113 to get hold of
Make sure you take out adequate travel insurance before the Soccorso Pubblico (public
assistance). Dialling 115 alerts
leaving for Italy, as it is very difficult to obtain once you the Vigili del Fuoco (fire
are in the country. brigade). If you are in need
of urgent medical attention,
attract the attention of go to the Pronto Soccorso
pickpockets and bag-snatchers (emergency) department of the
by having your bag unzipped, nearest main hospital. There are
particularly at railway stations, often queues, so be prepared to
markets and on public trans- wait. Doctors and hospital staff
port. In Venice, take care while in tourist localities usually speak
waiting at the vaporetto landing at least some English.
stages, and be especially vigilant If you need an Ambulanza
when people are jostling to get (ambulance), phone 118. In
on board. On crowded boats, Venice, this will get you an
hold your handbag or rucksack ambulance boat; in the
in front of you. Dolomites, you will be
Rented cars and vehicles with connected to the Soccorso
Two Venetian polizia on the Riva foreign number plates are Alpino (mountain rescue).
degli Schiavoni favourite targets of car thieves. If necessary, a helicopter will
Always lock the car before you be sent. If you do not speak
Police leave it, and never leave Italian, use simple English to
The vigili urbani, or municipal valuables on display inside. explain where you are and
police, are most often seen in Venice is fairly uneventful what the problem is.
the streets regulating traffic and after dark, and you can All towns have a Guardia
enforcing local laws. Their generally stroll through the Medica service, with a doctor
uniform is blue in winter and streets without any threat. There on duty for urgent problems at
white in summer. The is no red-light quarter or any night-time and weekends. Ask
carabinieri, with red striped area that could be described as the tourist office for the relevant
trousers, are the armed military unsavoury, though the beaches phone numbers. In tourist
police, responsible for public are best avoided at night. resorts, the Guardia Medica is
law and order. The polizia, or Women alone in Venice are generally available on site and
state police, wear blue uniforms unlikely to encounter any thing 24 hours a day in season.
with white belts and berets. more trouble some
They specialize in serious than the Latin roving
crimes. Any of these forces eye; however, in the
should be able to help you evening it is best to
in an emergency. stick to well-trodden
In the event of theft, go to and well-lit routes.
the nearest questura (police Elsewhere in the
station) and make a state ment. Veneto, particularly
If there is a language problem, in the less touristy
consult your nearest consulate towns, unescorted Police boat
(see p271). females are likely
to attract
more attention.
What to be Aware of Make sure you
Always keep your valuables and take only official
personal documents in a safe taxis, which have
place when travelling. It is also the licence number
wise to keep a photocopy of all clearly displayed
vital papers, including your (see p287). Avoid
passport, separately. Try not to unauthorized taxi Ambulance boat

272-273_EW_Venice.indd 272 8/18/17 11:16 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm